The finale of It: Welcome to Derry is here, and JD and Rachel have… thoughts.

In this Thumb War episode, we recap and react to Episode 8 — a finale stuffed with Pennywise theatrics, confusing lore, magic solutions, timeline gymnastics, and zero interest in explaining itself. We debate what works, what absolutely doesn’t, and why filming this in Canada without Pennywise on skates should be a criminal offense.

If you love horror vibes, messy finales, and yelling “WHY?” at your TV, this one’s for you.

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This week on Thumb War, we revisit Bad Santa (2003) — Terry Zwigoff’s filthy, funny, and surprisingly tender Christmas classic.

Jason & Rachel dig into the Director’s Cut vs the Theatrical version, studio interference, and why Billy Bob Thornton’s Willie T. Soke somehow becomes one of the strangest “found family” characters in holiday movie history.

Along the way, we celebrate:

• Bernie Mac & John Ritter’s perfect comic chemistry
• Zwigoff’s anti-sentimental worldview
• Why this movie still works — and why it probably wouldn’t get made today

A holiday staple in this house. Not safe for work. Definitely not safe for kids.

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This week on Thumb War, we’re deep into Stranger Things Season 5, breaking down Episodes 3 and 4 — The Turnbow Trap and The Sorcerer.

We talk Frank Darabont’s direction, the Upside Down’s increasingly flexible rules, Hopper going full action hero, and whether the show’s massive cast is finally working against itself. Plus: Karen Wheeler MVP discourse, Joyce complaints, Erica chaos, and a few extremely dumb (but fun) theories.

Spoilers throughout.

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Episode 7 Had Us Yelling at the TV | Welcome to Derry Review

In this episode of Thumb War, we review Welcome to Derry Episode 7 (2025) — an hour of television that somehow delivers peak Pennywise and peak frustration at the same time.

We talk:

• Why the Pennywise stage performance works so well
• Andy Muschietti’s blink-and-you’ll-miss-it organ-grinder cameo
• The Black Spot fire, emotional shortcuts, and broken horror logic
• When tragedy feels earned… and when it absolutely doesn’t

If you’re wondering whether Welcome to Derry is sticking the landing — or quietly falling apart — Episode 7 gives us plenty to argue about.

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Episode 6 of Welcome to Derry finally feels like the show hitting full stride.

On this episode of Thumb War, we break down the darkest chapter yet — from Pennywise’s unsettling origin story to Ingrid’s role in feeding the horror beneath Derry. Jason and Rachel debate the black-and-white flashbacks, the show’s obsession with daddy issues, and whether this episode recontextualizes everything we’ve seen so far.

If you’ve been waiting for Welcome to Derry to fully deliver on its promise, Episode 6 might be the turning point.

Spoilers ahead for Episode 6.

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JD and Rachel return to the Upside Down to recap Stranger Things Season 5, Episodes 1 & 2 — and yes, we’re spoiling everything.

We talk Will’s nightmare opening, the “is that CGI or a PS5 cutscene?” debate, the Dustin/Lucas/Steve dynamics, Robin’s Pretty in Pink broadcast, Jonathan vs. Steve (again), the baffling obstacle course sequence, Holly’s shocking growth spurt, Joyce catching heat, Murray being the delivery man for every important plot point, and the possible real shape of Season 5.

Subscribe for more TV breakdowns, new series reviews, and chaotic movie talk every week on Thumb War.

Email us → thumbwarpod@gmail.com

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JD & Rachel fire up the hyperdrive for a deep-dive review of Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith — joined by special guest Jeshua Kidd, Jedi Master and all-around Star Wars encyclopedia.

We break down the fall of Anakin Skywalker, the tragedy of Order 66, why Ewan McGregor is acting circles around everyone, and how the film has aged two decades later. Plus: favorite moments, tiny details we never noticed, and which scenes STILL give us goosebumps.

New to Thumb War? We review movies, TV, and all things pop culture — with bad jokes, bold opinions, and occasional dog cameos. Subscribe, rate, review, and check out our Patreon for bonus content!

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Welcome to Derry Episode 5 finally gives us what everyone’s been begging for: Pennywise. In the sewer. In full nightmare mode.

In this Thumb War recap, we break down everything from the genuinely awesome parts — Bill Skarsgård’s terrifying Pennywise reveal, the triple-decker teeth, the contortions, the hallucinatory sewer sequences — to the parts that made us feel like we were taking crazy pills.

Including: • The indigenous prophecy lore dump that explains why everyone in Derry acts insane • “There’s something in the water — clown shit” (not our words, the episode’s) • The soldiers making the absolute worst tactical decisions in TV history • A major character death that makes ZERO spatial sense • Whether Matty’s emo sewer glow-up actually worked • Our ongoing fight with the YouTube algorithm thanks to… certain phrases • Why the acting and production design continue to be the saving grace of this series

This is a spoiler-filled, chaotic, honest recap of Episode 5 — the good, the bad, and the “why is everyone in this show so dumb?”

Full transcript moments include Pennywise illusions, failed plans, secret shards, hallucinations, and multiple “are you serious?” plot beats.

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